The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-21
COL. MONTGOMERY DEAD.
HE EXPIRES SUDDENLY AT THE
JOCKEY CLUB CLUB CLUBHOUSE.
startling Similarity 90 the Death OF
Judge ElIett-Gloom suppIants Eager
Excitement Autumn Race Meeting
In This city closed.

tied men OF Memphis? Are the affairs of
the city to be summarily handed over to
young and untried hands? What doesthe
sudden and unexpected taking of OF lead
ing men mean? These are questions which
suggest themselves with perceptible force
to people generally after the events OF the
past few days. All the people Of the world
are expected to die sooner or later, at their
proper time, but when two, who have
risen to the pinnacle of public confidence
and esteem, are called away in a
singularly similar manner, while
acting az spokesman for the
entire people Of the city and
State, II is only natural to consider des-
tiny in a deeply reflective mood. Only
last Saturday morning, while voicing in
iervently eloquent phrases the sentiments
OF Memphis, Tennessee and the whole
south, in an address of welcome to Presi-
dent Cleveland, the Hon. Henry I. Elicit,
a man unsurpassed in every public and
private relation of life, honored and loved
by all who had the good fortune to know
him, and sharing the u%nbounded conf
dence and admiration Of those who
knew him only by name and reputation,
fell, without a moments warning from
the destroying angel. Yesterday after
noon, while serving the people in a similar
capacity, another citizen, equally will
known and admired, was taken very much
in h same way.
col. n. A. MONTGOMERY DEAD.
Twelve hundred people, in attendance
upon the races yesterday afternoon, were
shocked and saddened beyond measure by
tln s.l,a.. flat ItI II M,psnntnarxg
was dead. To some it went in this dread
full way, TO others that he had only fallen
in a faint, but would probably die. To
both il was indescribably startling. II oc-
Cured at 4:30 o'clock, between the second
and third races-after the second and last,
really, IA the third, the Peabody hotel
handicap stakes, was not run. lmmedi-
ately after the second racing event was
finished there was an informal gathering
Of invited guests at the clubhouse. Among
these wore some 200 delegates TO the
waterways convention, now holding Its
sessions in this city. The object was 10
enjoy, in the fullest possible manner, the
Inequalities OF the jockey club, so gener-
ously and heartily extended through Col.
Montgomery, the president. The leading
features Of this hospitality were wine,
champagne, luncheon and other deh-
cacies. Everything had been per-
fectly arranged for the occasion, and Col.
Montgomery's attention wns, nj the time,
directed toward getting the horses for next
rice at the point ready for starting. Before
this task Was completed he complained OF
feeling unwell, and requested Col. John
Ovcrton, IT,, to take charge Of the prepar-
atoms. The latter gentleman consented,
aud Col. Montgomery, after watching the
progress for a few moments, started toward
the clubhouse, where enjoyment held
full sway. Arrived there, he found
the waterways delegates, a dozen
o. more leading Memphis gen
tlemcn, and n number Of ladies.
surrounding the long table in the base
ment, partaking OF the abundance OF re-
frcshmcnts prepared. Col. {. +. Hooker,
Of hckson, Miss, and Ex-Governor ]. l..
Alc6rn, Of the same State, made brief but
eloquent speeches, the burden Of which
was sincere appreciation OF the courtcsics
~ heartily extended and the Importance Of
the questions which the convention 90
which they were delegates would be called
upon to consider. They were magnificent
and mastery efforts and roundly applauded.
Then there was a loud and spontaneous
demand for Col. Montgomery Ia respond.
lie dcmurrcd, stating that there were
other Memphis gentlemen present who
could better speak the sentiments he
shared, and also because he was in no
, physical condition Ia do 10. His excuses
were UNDECIDED, the clamor continued and
finally he ncauicsccd. The colonel. al
I though making not the faintcst prctcnions
10 oratorical powers, vet possessed few
supCrion in making himself appreciated
in impromptu efforts. He said, as nearly
as can be gathered from those who heard
the heartfelt and impassioned response:
nus LAST SPEECH.
"Gcntlcmen Of the Waterways Conycn-
tion-We welcome you, and bid you God
speed in the important work which you
nrc here TO perform. The improvement ~
the great waterways Of the country IL n
matter which vitality conccrnsnnd interests
all our people, irrespective OF tho section
from which they hail. Upon Il the north,
east, south aud west should unite and act
In the utmost harmony. We Of Mem
phis anc particularly Interested, and
delight Ia have the convention
called To consider the problem meet in
our midst and partake of our ho-pitalitics.
Gentlemen oi Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Mis-
souri,, Illinois and the entire country, We
welcome you. In the namc Of the people
of Tennessee, Of Memphis, and more par.
t~icularly Of the Memphis jockey club, bid
you welcome, and IL gives me great pleas.
unr "a nave YOU underneath the roof of
this clubhouse and see you enjoying its
freedom aud hospitality. We'p glad 10
have you. Again, you are indeed well
come
Hardly had the sound a his voice died
away, and his last VOID, welcome"
found il way Ia the hearts " his hearrrS,
ere Col. Monigomery's tall, finely dcyel.
Opcd form was seen TO SWAY His face,
always mddy with the glow Of excellent
health. took ON q dcepcncd reddish hue,
the arteries in his neck and face enlarged
pcrccptibly, and he fell backward. So
quickly did II all take place that for a mo.
mcnt those around him failed 10 realize
what had pally occurred. Mr.. A. u.
langStaif, In whose arms lac fell, thought
the coloncl's foot had merely slipped, aud
underworld 10 assist him 90 IN upright
position. But his eyes closed, there was
u convulsive gasp, and the awful truth
dawncd upon the spectators. lie was
either unconscious from n iainting spell or
dead. lie was gently laid upon the floor,
the hallway cleared sufficiently 20 admit
air, aud DIR, ID. u. Saunders took charge Of
the case. His storchousc OF medical SCI
enoc, gained through years Of close study
and patient experience, were exhausted,
but failed 10 bring relief, and the wont
iears were realized.
eroP rHE RACES.
In the meantime a courier had been sent
p~Ost-haste 90 10 the people on
the grounds and grand stand what had &C.
Cured. The hell had already sounded,